Some Recent Advances in the Integrated Layout Design of Multicomponent Systems

We provide an introduction and state of the art overview of integrated layout design of multicomponent systems. We review several packing optimization and overlap detection strategies, some tree-based methods, such as octrees and spheretrees, and a finite circle method (FCM) proposed to favor gradient-based optimization algorithms. Integrated layout design techniques for simultaneous packing and structure topology optimization of multicomponent systems are reviewed; two typical approaches for system stiffness maximization are reviewed and compared in detail. Design of multicomponent systems under inertia forces is presented using polynomial interpolation models; constraints to the centroid position, moment of inertia, and volume fraction are included. Applications to piezoelectric multi-actuated microtools and integrated layout design of bridge systems are presented. Finally, the effectiveness of the FCM, applications to 3D problems, and local optimum phenomena are discussed. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4005083]